appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

liveArticle

appConfig

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sectionsV2

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

json

SCMP Reporter

The ancient Chinese game of shuttlecock is experiencing a revival in Hong Kong and also being taken up by sports enthusiasts in Europe.

The basic premise of the game is to keep the shuttlecock aloft for as long as possible by kicking it with your feet.

'The game of shuttlecock is similar to badminton, and is less dangerous when compared with many sports,  said Kitty Liu Kit-ngo, a coach at the Hong Kong Shuttlecock Association.

Shuttlecock was first played in ancient China where it was a favourite pastime among citizens, including monks, teachers and nobles.

A Tang Dynasty document mentions a 12-year-old monk being applauded by passers-by on the street after performing 500 kicks of a shuttlecock.

Today, the game  can be played in two different ways. One involves players doing spectacular tricks and stunts. Like synchronised swimming, it emphasises the game's aesthetics and is more like a choreographed performance than a competitive sport.

The other method could be described as a cross between badminton and volleyball. During a match that consists of three sets, each team must have two to three players playing on a standard badminton court.

No more than four kicks of the shuttlecock are allowed before one team sends it over the net to their opponents. Each set ends at 21 points, and the team that wins two sets or more is the champion.

Stamina is a major requirement for good shuttlecock players, given that the ball flies at a very high speed and many movements that resemble kung fu stunts - such as overhead kicks - are involved.

A fast-paced match may last as long as an hour if two teams are of equal strength. But Liu said it's  good training for youngsters or athletes who want to improve their physical fitness.

'Don't take shuttlecock lightly. The game involves your whole body ... and requires rigorous strength to play,' said Liu.

'The more you play shuttlecock, the more agile and mobile you will become and can therefore improve your performance in other sports.

'The best thing for children [practising shuttlecock] is that they can think faster.   If you can control a shuttlecock, you are agile and your thinking has improved.'

For more information, call the Hong Kong Shuttlecock Association on 2891 9299 or visit www.hkshuttlecock.org



Shuttlecock